INDEX
Imaizumi’s “pausing method” that influences Ninomiya
– So, Ninomiya, what do you like about Imaizumi’s films?
Ninomiya: Well, this is a really difficult question.
Imaizumi: I don’t think so (laughs).
Ninomiya: That’s not true (laughs). From the beginning, you consistently depicted people from your own unique perspective, and I think that is something that only Mr. Imaizumi could do.
One thing I remember is that when I first met Mr. Imaizumi, he told me that what was important to him as a director was to make films that only he could make. After hearing those words, I began to think about that all the time.
– That is a very important lesson.
Ninomiya: That’s right. From there, Mr. Imaizumi went on to make many films, but I think what he always carefully depicts is the small changes in human relationships. Also, I think it is important to make people laugh. It is really wonderful to be able to laugh, isn’t it? I have seen many people become happy by watching your films.
In relation to the “laughability” of your films, you have specifically influenced me to write “pause” in your scripts, which I also use in my films.
– What do you mean by that?
Imaizumi: For example, when I want to make a pause in the dialogue between me and Ninomiya, I usually write something like “………” for Imaizumi, “………” for Ninomiya, and so on. But in my films, there are too many pauses. But in my films, there are too many pauses. So I started to write “pause” in scripts instead of “………” at some point.
Ninomiya: The “Sad Tea” script already says “pause.” The other day, when a staff member with experience in the Imaizumi group read my script, he said, “Huh? (laughs). He said, “It looks like Imaizumi’s scripts,” to which I replied, “I’m copying him.”
Imaizumi: However, if I am correct, I was influenced by director Nobuhiro Yamashita. In the pamphlet of “Ramblers” (2003), there was a script written jointly by Kosuke Mukai and Yamashita, and it was written as “………” and “…… The amount of “” and “…” was outrageous (laughs). I was shocked at how many times “………” and “………” went back and forth! I was shocked, and at first I imitated that way of writing. But then I thought, why don’t I just write “pause”?
– It’s an interesting story of how the three link one another. Speaking of pausing, “The Charm of Others” was still built on dialogue. However, “Sweating the Small Stuff” implemented a sudden bold pause between the lines.
Ninomiya: That’s right. “The Charm of Others.” There was a four-year gap between that and the first book, and I was really depressed then. I couldn’t write at all. I didn’t even try to write. I felt strongly that I had to put everything I had up to that point into “Sweating the Small Stuff,” which I could finally step into.
